Anastasia Shirley Bio, Age, Family, Husband Robert Carlyle, Net Worth
Anastasia Shirley is a British makeup artist and hair designer best known for her work behind the scenes on a series of acclaimed 1990s films, including Ratcatcher, Face and My Name Is Joe. She is also widely recognized as the wife of the celebrated Scottish actor Robert Carlyle, whom she married in 1997 after the two met on a movie set.
Though her on-screen career was relatively brief — spanning the late 1990s — Shirley’s craft contributed to films that won major awards and critical acclaim. Since becoming a mother, she has largely stepped back from the film industry to focus on her family, which includes three children with Carlyle. As of 2026 she remains a private figure who is nevertheless often searched for by fans curious about the woman behind one of Scotland’s most famous actors.
Anastasia Shirley Quick Facts
| Full Name | Anastasia Shirley |
| Nick Name | Anastasia |
| Profession | Makeup Artist, Hair & Makeup Designer |
| Birth Date | Not publicly disclosed |
| Age | Not publicly disclosed |
| Birth Place | Not publicly disclosed |
| Nationality | British |
| Known For | Makeup work on Ratcatcher (1999), Face (1997) and My Name Is Joe (1998); wife of actor Robert Carlyle |
| Ethnicity | Caucasian |
| Zodiac | Not publicly disclosed |
| Height | Not publicly disclosed |
| Weight | Not publicly disclosed |
| Hair Color | Brown |
| Eye Color | Not publicly disclosed |
| Qualification | Trained in film and television makeup |
| Religion | Not publicly disclosed |
| Marital Status | Married |
| Spouse | Robert Carlyle (m. December 28, 1997) |
| Relationships | Married to Robert Carlyle since 1997 |
| Children | Three: Ava (b. 2002), Harvey (b. 2004), Pearce Joseph (b. 2006) |
| Family Tree | Sister of Paul Shirley |
| Hobbies | Not publicly disclosed |
| Current Work | Largely retired from film; focused on family |
| Years Active | 1995–1999 |
| Net Worth | Not publicly disclosed |
People who search for Anastasia Shirley often also look up her husband Robert Carlyle and his famous roles, along with his co-stars from Trainspotting, The Full Monty and Once Upon a Time. Fans also explore the film credits of Ratcatcher, Face and My Name Is Joe.
Early Life and Education
Anastasia Shirley has kept her early life out of the public eye, and details about her birth and upbringing are not publicly disclosed. What is known is that she trained as a makeup artist and entered the British film and television industry in the mid-1990s, building her craft on real productions rather than in the spotlight.
She has a brother, Paul Shirley, but little else about her family background has been made public. Her career developed quietly and professionally, and she has generally avoided interviews and public appearances, preferring to let her work on screen — and her family life — speak for itself.
Career Journey
Breaking Into Film and Television
Shirley’s earliest credited work came in 1995, when she served as an assistant makeup artist on the crime drama Prime Suspect: The Lost Child. The assignment placed her inside one of Britain’s most respected television franchises and gave her practical experience in a demanding, detail-driven craft.
Face and My Name Is Joe
She went on to work on the 1997 crime drama Face and the 1998 film My Name Is Joe, in which she collaborated with actors Peter Mullan and Louise Goodall. My Name Is Joe went on to earn a remarkable 13 awards, and it remains one of the most acclaimed British films of its era.
Ratcatcher and Stepping Back
Shirley’s final credited film role came in 1999, when she served as hair and makeup designer on Ratcatcher, Lynne Ramsay’s celebrated directorial debut. After that, her career on screen credits effectively paused as she focused on her growing family, though the caliber of the films she worked on has kept her name relevant among cinephiles.
Anastasia Shirley Career Stats
- Assistant makeup artist on Prime Suspect: The Lost Child (1995)
- Makeup work on Face (1997)
- Makeup work on My Name Is Joe (1998), a film that won 13 awards
- Hair and makeup designer on Ratcatcher (1999)
- Active in film credits from 1995 to 1999
Personal Life
Anastasia Shirley met Robert Carlyle on a film set, and the two fell in love. They married on December 28, 1997, at Skibo Castle in Sutherland, Scotland — a venue famously considered by Madonna and Guy Ritchie before the couple beat them to it. Their wedding became a notable cultural footnote in its own right.
Together they have three children: a daughter, Ava, born July 4, 2002; a son, Harvey, born March 27, 2004; and a second son, Pearce Joseph, born April 8, 2006. All three were born at Glasgow’s Queen Mother Maternity hospital, and the family has made their home in Glasgow. Carlyle has spoken movingly about fatherhood, saying it meant everything to him because he was deprived of a strong family unit as a child.
- Met husband Robert Carlyle on a film set
- Married at Skibo Castle in Scotland on December 28, 1997
- Mother of three children: Ava, Harvey and Pearce Joseph
- Lives with her family in Glasgow, Scotland
Dating History and Affairs
Shirley’s romantic history is defined by a single, enduring relationship. She and Robert Carlyle met while working on a film, married in 1997 and have remained together for nearly three decades — a rarity in the entertainment industry. There are no documented affairs, breakups or dating controversies associated with her name.
Controversies
Anastasia Shirley has no documented controversies. Her reputation is that of a private, dedicated professional who stepped away from the industry to raise her family, and she has largely stayed out of the public spotlight throughout her marriage to one of Scotland’s most famous actors.
Awards and Achievements
- Contributed makeup work to My Name Is Joe, a film that earned 13 awards
- Served as hair and makeup designer on the acclaimed film Ratcatcher
- Built a successful career in British film and television in the 1990s
- Nearly three decades of marriage to actor Robert Carlyle
Physical Statistics
Shirley maintains a low public profile and does not share details about her height or weight. She has appeared at occasional red-carpet events alongside her husband, typically photographed with brown hair and an understated, elegant style. Beyond those appearances, she has chosen to keep her physical statistics private.
Favorites
- Favorite Film to Have Worked On: Ratcatcher (1999), her final credited project
- Favorite Career Period: The late 1990s British film renaissance
- Favorite Priority: Family life in Glasgow
- Favorite Wedding Memory: Marrying Robert Carlyle at Skibo Castle
Earnings and Net Worth
Anastasia Shirley’s net worth is not publicly disclosed. Her measurable earnings came from a relatively short but respectable career as a makeup artist and hair designer in British film during the 1990s. Her household financial standing is tied in part to her husband Robert Carlyle’s long and successful acting career, but as a matter of privacy she has never discussed her personal finances.
Interesting Facts
- She met her future husband Robert Carlyle on a film set
- Her wedding at Skibo Castle predated Madonna’s plans for the same venue
- She worked on My Name Is Joe, a film that won 13 awards
- Her last credited film was the acclaimed Ratcatcher in 1999
- All three of her children were born in Glasgow
Did You Know Already?
- Did you know that Anastasia Shirley is a professional makeup artist?
- Did you know that she married Robert Carlyle at Skibo Castle in 1997?
- Did you know that she has three children with the actor?
- Did you know that she worked on the award-winning film My Name Is Joe?
Social Media Links
- Instagram: Not publicly active
- Twitter/X: Not publicly active
- IMDb: Anastasia Shirley (film credits)
FAQ
Who is Anastasia Shirley?
Anastasia Shirley is a British makeup artist and hair designer known for her work on 1990s films such as Ratcatcher and My Name Is Joe, and as the wife of actor Robert Carlyle.
Who is Anastasia Shirley married to?
She is married to Scottish actor Robert Carlyle. They wed on December 28, 1997, at Skibo Castle in Scotland.
How many children does Anastasia Shirley have?
She has three children with Robert Carlyle: Ava (born 2002), Harvey (born 2004) and Pearce Joseph (born 2006).
What movies did Anastasia Shirley work on?
Her credits include Prime Suspect: The Lost Child (1995), Face (1997), My Name Is Joe (1998) and Ratcatcher (1999).
How much is Anastasia Shirley worth?
Her net worth is not publicly disclosed, as she keeps her personal finances private.
Conclusion
Anastasia Shirley’s story is one of quiet achievement and enduring devotion. She built a respected career as a makeup artist on some of the most acclaimed British films of the 1990s, then chose family over fame, raising three children with her husband Robert Carlyle in Glasgow. Nearly three decades of marriage later, her partnership remains one of the entertainment world’s most stable. If you found this biography helpful, please share it with fellow film and Robert Carlyle fans!
